In the daily work of those operating with metals and magnets, ranging from industrial carpentry and mechanical design to the recycling and processing of ferrous scrap, some questions, though seemingly simple, require technically accurate and practically useful answers. One of the most common: which metals are truly attracted to magnets?

It’s not just a matter of distinguishing between ferrous and non-ferrous metals, but rather understanding how alloys, crystalline structures, chemical composition, and even heat treatments influence a material’s magnetic response. This knowledge can impact the effectiveness of a lifting electromagnet, the accuracy of an in-line separation process, or the selection of raw materials for manufacturing in environments sensitive to magnetism.

In this article, we address the topic clearly and professionally, aiming to provide a reliable, in-depth reference. The goal: to help you choose the right materials, avoid design errors, and get the most out of industrial magnets and electromagnets.

To correctly answer the question “which metals are attracted to magnets?”, it’s essential to start from the intrinsic magnetic properties of materials. There are three main categories that define how a metal (or material in general) interacts with a magnetic field:

Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted to magnetic fields. This is due to the internal magnetic domains, which tend to spontaneously align when exposed to a field, creating a cumulative effect. These materials can also retain magnetism once the field is removed.

Common examples include:  

• Iron  
• Nickel  
• Cobalt  
• Certain steel alloys  

Ferromagnetic metals are the most commonly used in industrial magnets for lifting and separation purposes.

Paramagnetic materials display a very weak magnetic behaviour. They are only attracted in the presence of a strong magnetic field and do not retain any residual magnetism.

Examples include:  

• Aluminium  
• Titanium  
• Platinum  
• Magnesium  

In industrial applications, these materials are generally not manageable with magnets, except under specific and often inefficient conditions.

These materials are not attracted to magnets and may even be slightly repelled. Their electronic structure opposes the magnetic field, but the effect is extremely weak and practically negligible.

Examples include:  

• Copper  
• Silver  
• Gold  
• Zinc  
• Lead  
• Brass  

Understanding these distinctions is essential when selecting materials or magnetic technologies for lifting, sorting, or shielding applications.

In the sectors of industrial handling, fabrication (or steelwork), and scrap recovery, ferrous metals are a frequently discussed topic. But what exactly does this term mean?

Ferrous metals are all metallic materials that contain iron as their primary component. They are the most widely used materials in industry due to their mechanical strength, workability, and low cost. Crucially, they are also strongly attracted to magnetic fields, which makes them ideal for lifting and separation using electromagnets or permanent magnets.

Technical Note: The presence of oxides, paint, or dirt between the magnet and the metal can significantly reduce the attractive force. This happens because it increases the thickness of the air gap, obstructing the magnetic flux. For effective maintenance of lifting electromagnets, we recommend consulting a relevant article.

Many commonly used metals show no attraction to a magnetic field. This information is critical for those involved in material selection, scrap metal recycling, mechanical design, and the choice of lifting technologies.

Aluminium (Aluminum): Often mistaken due to its widespread use in mechanical applications, but it is completely non-magnetic.

• Copper: An excellent electrical conductor, but non-magnetisable.
• Brass and Bronze: Copper alloys that are non-magnetic.
• Lead: Used in shielding and protection, it does not react to magnetic fields.
• Zinc, Lead, Tin: Completely non-magnetic.
• Silver and Gold: Precious metals that are non-magnetic by nature.
• Austenitic Stainless Steel (300 series): We will cover this in more detail later, but it is important to know that many types of stainless steel are not attracted to magnets.

The answer lies in the electronic structure of the atoms. If the electrons are distributed in such a way that their individual magnetic moments cancel each other out, the material is magnetically neutral. This applies to the vast majority of non-ferrous metals.

Not all steels behave the same when exposed to a magnetic field. Some are strongly attracted, others barely at all. The key difference lies in the chemical composition, that is the alloying elements within the material.

Alloying elements can significantly alter the crystalline structure of steel, and with it, its reaction to magnets. Specifically:

• Nickel: stabilizes the austenitic structure → reduces magnetic attraction
• Chromium: has a minor influence on its own, but in combination with nickel, further reduces magnetism
• Manganese and molybdenum: in high concentrations, dampen the magnetic response

A steel may contain a large amount of iron and still not be attracted to a magnet if the resulting structure prevents the alignment of magnetic domains.

One of the most misunderstood topics in the industry concerns stainless steels. They are often perceived as magnetically “inert,” but the reality is more complex and depends on the specific family they belong to.

Stainless steels are generally divided into three main families:

• Austenitic (e.g., AISI 304, AISI 316): not magnetic under standard conditions. These are the most common stainless steels, widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
• Ferritic (e.g., AISI 430): moderately magnetic, used in household appliances, piping, and general applications.
• Martensitic (e.g., AISI 420): partially magnetic, used for tools, knives, and mechanical components.

Technical note: Under certain conditions (e.g., machining, welding, plastic deformation), even austenitic steels can become partially magnetic due to transformations in their internal structure.

Zanetti Magneti specializes in the design, production, and supply of customized magnets, tailor-made electromagnets, and optimized handling systems. Contact us for technical advice or a personalized quote.

Are all ferrous metals attracted to a magnet?

No, it depends on the presence of alloying elements that can alter the material’s structure. Some steels containing iron can be non-magnetic.

Are stainless steels attracted to magnets?

Only some. Ferritic stainless steels are, while austenitic ones (such as 304 and 316) generally are not—unless their structure has been altered through processing.

Can a magnet be used to separate aluminum from iron?

Yes, aluminum is not attracted to magnets and can therefore be separated from ferrous metals using magnetic selection.

Why are some stainless steel parts attracted to magnets and others not?

It depends on the processing, the specific alloy composition, and the resulting microstructure. Some stainless steels become magnetized after welding or bending.

Is it possible to increase the magnetic attraction of a non-magnetic metal?

No, if a metal is diamagnetic or paramagnetic, it cannot be made ferromagnetic without completely altering its composition.